43 Must-Have School Supplies for College 2024—Everything You Need

Shopping for school supplies can be overwhelming. If you’ve ever forgotten something important and had to make a second trip (or third) to pick up supplies, then you probably know how annoying it can be.

If you want to make sure you don’t forget anything, this post is for you. I’ll be covering a comprehensive back to school supplies list for college, with everything from note-taking supplies to tech gadgets and personal care items. Whether you’re a first year or returning college student, this list has got you covered.

You can also grab a checklist of all the supplies to take with you on your shopping trip below.

Without further ado, let’s get into the supplies list!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that when you make a purchase through a link, I make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Writing and Note-Taking

#1: Textbooks

Make sure you have all the required textbooks for your classes. If you’re not sure which ones you need, check with your professors or the course syllabus.

Luckily, most textbooks are now digital (no more lugging around huge 1000-page hardcovers that cause premature back pain). However, if you need physical books, make sure you order them in advance.

#2: Pencil Case

Next, you’ll need a good pencil case to keep all your writing supplies in one place. I prefer using a pencil case with multiple compartments to keep all my supplies organized.

This is the pencil case I’ve been using for the past few years. It contains a main compartment, with two smaller side compartments to store loose items and writing utensils.

#3: Pens and Pencils

In terms of pens, you’ll want to have a variety of pens in black, blue, and red for doing assignments, test-taking, and making corrections.

However, having more colors never hurts. Using different colored pens can help you organize your notes, highlight key points, and overall, make your notes more interesting to study. My favorites are the Paper Mate InkJoy gel pens.

In terms of pencils, you should always keep some #2 pencils on hand (my favorite brand is Ticonderoga). Unless a conventional wooden pencil is required, however, I usually opt for mechanical pencils. My favorites are the Paper Mate Break Resistant mechanical pencils in 0.7mm.

If you use mechanical pencils, you should always keep lead refills and eraser replacements in your pencil case. It’s never fun to run out of lead and not have anything to write with.

#4: Highlighters

Highlighters are useful for marking key concepts, important dates, or anything else you want to remember. Personally, I usually opt for Sharpies or the pastel Zebra Mildliners.

#5: Erasers

Mistakes happen, so it’s always important to have a reliable eraser on hand.

I prefer having a big eraser to make the erasing process faster. The Pentel Hi-Polymer is my favorite because it does the job without leaving smudges on the paper.

#6: Sticky Notes

Sticky notes come in handy for jotting down important reminders, marking sections in a textbook, annotating texts, and more.

I like keeping a pack of regular size sticky notes and a pack of smaller sticky notes (which make great bookmarks).

#7: Index Cards

Index cards are another useful tool for jotting down important reminders. They’re also great for creating flashcards, summarizing key information, or jotting down a presentation outline.

Index cards come in a range of sizes and colors, so choose the ones that work best for you.

#8: Correction Tape/Fluid

If you’re writing in pen and make a mistake, then correction tape/fluid can be a lifesaver. It provides a quick correction method that won’t leave smudges or a mess.

If you want a more precise way of correcting mistakes, I recommend getting a few white gel pens. My personal favorite is the Sakura Gelly Roll.

Paper Supplies and Tools

#9: Notebooks

If you take handwritten notes, notebooks are a great way to keep all your notes in one place.

If you use spiral-bound notebooks, you may find that they frequently get tangled together. To avoid this problem, you may consider getting one big 5-subject notebook and using each section for a different class.

#10: Loose-Leaf Paper

Loose-leaf paper is great for taking notes and writing essays, and it can also come in handy as scratch paper. I always get a few packs of loose-leaf paper and carry extra pieces in my backpack in case I need it.

Personally, I prefer getting reinforced loose-leaf paper because I do not want to have papers falling out of my binder.

#11: Printer Paper

Printing assignments is a common task in college, so it’s important to have a good supply of printer paper. Look for paper that’s high-quality and doesn’t jam in your printer.

#12: Graph Paper

Graph paper is a useful tool for classes that involve graphing or drawing. Make sure to have a few sheets on hand just in case.

If you’re storing graph paper in a binder, try to get reinforced paper.

#13: Stapler and Staples

A stapler is a handy tool for keeping your assignments together. You can get a normal-sized one or a portable one that you can carry with you everywhere.

Of course, you’ll also need to make sure you have a good supply of staples on hand.

#14: Hole Puncher

A hole puncher is a useful tool for organizing your notes or assignments into binders. As with a stapler, you can get a full-size 3-hole puncher to store in your dorm room and/or a portable one to carry around in your backpack.

#15: Binder Clips or Paperclips

Binder clips or paperclips are great for keeping loose pages together. They’re also useful for marking pages in your textbooks.

#16: Scissors

You’ll likely need scissors for a variety of tasks, from cutting paper to opening packages. Keep a pair of scissors in your backpack or pencil case for when you need them.

These Westcott scissors are super durable and reliable:

#17: Tape and Tape Dispenser

Tape is one of those tools that you don’t know when you’ll need but is somehow always missing when you need it. To avoid this problem, make sure to get a few rolls of tape.

You can also get a tape dispenser to keep on your dorm desk.

Organization

#18: Planner/Agenda

A planner or agenda is absolutely necessary for keeping track of your assignments, deadlines, and appointments. Apart from the conventional physical planner, popular options include:

• Bullet journaling: The bullet journal system was created by Ryder Carroll, who wanted to create a system that combined mindfulness and productivity. You can learn more about the pros and cons of bullet journaling here.
• Digital planning: I currently use Notion as a student planner app to organize most aspects of my life, including tracking deadlines, habits, goals, long-term projects, and more.

#19: Binder(s)

If you don’t want to deal with spiral notebooks getting tangled together, binders are a great alternative. Especially if you take a lot of handwritten notes, binders are essential for keeping your notes organized and convenient to retrieve.

My favorite binder is the Staples Better Binder.

#20: Dividers

You’ll need to get dividers to organize your binders into sections. Look for ones that are durable and won’t tear easily.

I personally prefer plastic dividers with pockets to store extra papers and items.

#21: Sheet Protectors

Sheet protectors are useful for keeping important documents undamaged. They also come in handy for storing items without hole punches in a binder.

If you’re a music student, then you know that sheet protectors can be a real lifesaver for storing music scores.

#22: Index Tabs

Index tabs are great for keeping your binders organized and easy to navigate. I like to use dividers to organize my notes by subject and tabs within each subject to mark important sections or topics.

Index tabs also come in handy for annotating books. I like to keep a variety of colors since I color code my annotations (blue for character development, purple for plot, orange for themes, etc.).

This is the pack that I’m currently using:

#23: Folder(s)

Folders are a great way to keep loose papers or assignments organized. I recommend getting plastic ones because paper folders tear easily and aren’t waterproof.

Technology

#24: Calculator

You’ll definitely need a calculator for math and science courses. I recommend getting a simple four-function calculator and a fancy graphing calculator.

Graphing calculators can be expensive, but you shouldn’t hold back from investing in a high-quality one. Otherwise, your calculator might break during the middle of a test (unfortunately, I speak about this from personal experience).

#25: Laptop or Desktop Computer

A reliable computer is crucial for doing research, completing homework assignments, and more. Consider investing in a high-quality laptop or desktop computer that can handle multiple tasks and has a long battery life.

#26: External Hard Drive

To prevent the loss of important documents and files, consider purchasing an external hard drive for backup storage.

#27: Flash Drive

Flash drives may seem outdated, what with the advent of cloud storage. However, you never know when you might need one so it’s always good to have a spare on hand.

You can check out some pretty cute ones here:

#28: Laptop Case

You’ll probably be lugging your laptop around to a lot of places. To prevent it from getting scratched up, get a protective laptop case. Make sure that it’s the right dimensions for your laptop.

#29: Laptop Stand

Do you ever get neck and back pain from working on your laptop for too long? Then, you should consider investing in a laptop stand that elevates your device to eye level.

Using a laptop stand also has the added benefit of preventing your device from overheating. Here is my favorite laptop stand:

#30: Headphones/Earbuds

Whether you’re listening to music, watching a video, or attending an online meeting/lecture, a good pair of headphones or earbuds is a must.

If you’re sensitive to noise, you may also want to invest in a pair of noise-canceling headphones.

#31: LED Light

Late-night study sessions can strain your eyes. A LED light will provide adequate lighting while reducing eye strain.

The LED light that I use has adjustable light settings (I find that warm light is better) and brightness.

#32: Charging Cables

Needless to say, you’ll need to have charging cables for all your devices.

#33: Portable Charger

A portable charger is a lifesaver when you need to charge your devices on the go.

#34: Power Strip

With so many devices needing to be charged, a power strip can provide extra outlets and prevent the hassle of constantly switching cords.

Convenience and Personal Care

#35: Backpack

A good backpack is essential for carrying all your school supplies and books.

When choosing a backpack, look out for these 5 features: comfortable straps, a padded back, plenty of compartments, a sturdy construction, and a style that matches your personality.

My favorite backpack is the L.L. Bean Deluxe Book Bag. I’ve had mine for several years. In fact, it’s gone to multiple schools (and even countries) with me. It meets all the aforementioned criteria and in addition to having 3 main layers, it contains smaller compartments within each layer for organizing different-sized items.

(Check out this post for a full list of college backpack essentials.)

#36: Reusable Water Bottle

Staying hydrated during the day is super important. I always carry a reusable water bottle that’s insulated so that my water stays cold/hot.

The ThermoFlask provides great insulation and comes with two lids:

#37: Snacks

Always keep a few snacks in your dorm and backpack to keep you energized and focused. Choose healthy options like fruits, nuts, and granola bars.

#38: Tissues

Get a few travel-size packs of tissues that are easy to store in your backpack.

#39: Disinfectant Wipes

You’ll need disinfectant wipes to sanitize surfaces, like your phone and your desk.

Fun (kind of gross) fact #1: Researchers at the University of Arizona found that cell phones carry 10 times more bacteria than the average toilet seat. You definitely want to make sure you’re wiping down your phone regularly.

Fun (even more gross) fact #2: Work desks are over 400 times dirtier than the average toilet seat, with your keyboard alone containing 70% more bacteria than a toilet seat.

#40: Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizer is always a must-have item for keeping your hands clean and preventing illness. I like to get a big box of travel-size hand sanitizers that keeps me supplied throughout the year.

#41: Umbrella

You never know when it might start raining, and it’s hardly ever fun to get caught in a downpour. Having a compact and sturdy umbrella that you can carry in your backpack is a must.

#42: Comfortable Shoes

You’ll be walking a lot around campus, so comfortable shoes are a must. Especially if you’re a college freshman, you’re bound to get lost frequently during your first month. (When I attended my school’s preview weekend, I got lost so many times, I averaged 20k steps a day, much of it from walking around in circles while searching for buildings.)

#43: First Aid Kit

Accidents happen, and having a first aid kit on hand can help you deal with minor injuries. Look for a small kit that includes bandages, antiseptic wipes, and other basic supplies.

FAQ

Where can I buy affordable school supplies for college?

There are many options for buying affordable school supplies for college. I recommend starting with online retailers like Amazon or Walmart, where you can find a wide variety of supplies at competitive prices.

Additionally, discount stores like Target, Dollar Tree, and Dollar General often have great deals on school supplies during the back-to-school season. Finally, you may be able to snag a few student discounts at your campus bookstore.

How can I organize my school supplies to maximize productivity?

You should keep a planner or agenda to track assignments, deadlines, and important dates. (Check out the student planner app I use here.)

Another tip is to color code and label notebooks and binders for different subjects. Also, consider using dividers and sticky tabs in your binder to keep different subjects and topics separate.

Dorm desks are usually small, so I recommend getting organizers to put on your desk, in your drawers, or even hang on the wall. (Check out this full list of student desk essentials for maximizing storage in a small space.)

Can I use a tablet or e-reader instead of traditional paper supplies?

A tablet or e-reader can be a great alternative to traditional paper supplies. There’s nothing wrong with using paper supplies, but going digital can alleviate the burden of keeping track of all your textbooks, notes, and assignments.

Throughout all of high school, I kept track of assignments and stored textbooks on an iPad since my school required it. If you’re going to use a tablet, I recommend getting a good note-taking app, like Notability or GoodNotes, and a high-quality stylus.

Overview of Supplies List for College

I hope this school supplies list for college helps guide your shopping and plan for the upcoming school year! Here’s a quick recap of all the categories covered:

• Writing and note-taking supplies
• Paper supplies and tools
• Organizational supplies
• Technology supplies
• Convenience and personal care essentials

To make sure you don’t leave anything out, make sure to print out this checklist:

For more posts on college and student success, check out:

• 37 College Backpack Essentials to Ace School
• Student Desk Essentials to Maximize Storage in a Small Space
• 22 Tips On How To Romanticize Studying & Make Studying Fun
• Best Aesthetic Note Taking App (Free & Easy-to-Use)
• Best All-in-One Aesthetic Planner App for Students
• How to Get Your Life Together as a Student
• 9 Best Night Routines for Students to Skyrocket Productivity